X-ray machines at major prisons

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation Ministry will install X-ray machines at all major prisons to monitor visitors, a ministry official said.

The X-ray machines will help detect persons entering prisons with firearms, communication equipment, narcotics etc.

Those entering prisons, including visitors to see inmates and prison officials, will be checked, he said.

"The X-ray machines are to be installed within one month at the entrance to prisons. Other prisons too will be equipped with X- ray machines under the second phase.

Prison officials who report for duty and those visiting prison inmates will be subject to a thorough check at prison entrances," the spokesman said.

Police sources said the absence of such a security system was the main cause for the Welikada Prison mayhem. "Three rounds of security checks have been conducted at the Welikada Prison following the riot and over 300 mobile phones taken into custody," the Police said.